Workplace Interventions

Sometimes an employee or co-worker becomes severely depressed or develops self destructive habits.
Prolonged depression, as well as alcohol or drug addiction, can cause a lack of creativity and
production, poor decisions, deteriorating public relations and expensive mistakes. It is costly to
lose an employee or co-worker, as is finding a replacement. Perhaps this is a valued employee,
possibly a friend, who has served well for many years. Far better to correct the problem and
keep the person. But how do you address the problem without doing more harm than good?

Do it right. This is no time for questionable techniques or half-way measures.

Do no harm. Act only within the confines of legality and professional ethics, and only with deepest respect.

Do it now. The risk of delay is great for both the worker or friend and the organization.

Call for assistance. Engage an experienced professional interventionist. The situation is too critical and delicate to do otherwise.

On many occasions intervention with employees in a corporate or other professional setting is very effective.

However, there are many issues unique to interventions conducted in these circumstances. Public relation issues, legal implications, continuing care and return-to-work matters, and disclosure issues can all be extremely delicate. These and other matters must all be handled with extreme care.

Workplace Intervention Works.

Caution: Should you ever feel uneasy with your interventionist, or that you are being asked
to do something you do not understand or agree with, you would be wise to stop the process and go
elsewhere.